372 SHERIFF-IIUTTOK; 



the jealous policy of Richard III., Elizabeth, eldest 

 daughter of Edward IV., and rightful heir to the 

 throne ; and Edward Plantagenet, earl of War- 

 wick, son to the duke of Clarence; and whose title 

 to the throne was superior to that of his uncle. On 

 the death of Richard in the battle ofBosworth field, 

 and the accession of the earl of Richmond to 

 the throne, in 1485, by the title of Henry VII , 

 Warwick had reason to expect better treatment ; as 

 lie was no obstacle to the succession either of Hen- 

 ry or Elizabeth; and from a youth of such tender 

 years (15,) no danger could reasonably be appre- 

 hended : but Sir Robert Willoughby was dispatch- 

 ed by Henry, with orders to take him from Sheriff- 

 Iluttoii, to convey him to the tower, and to detain 

 him in close custody. Here this unhappy prince 

 continued 14 years ; at the expiration of which time, 

 to the eternal disgrace of Henry, he was brought 

 to trial, and executed on Tower-hill, at the early 

 age of 25, on some frivolous pretence of promoting 

 the last insurrection of Perkin Warbeck : by which 

 violent act of tyranny, may with more reason be 

 ascribed to Henry avowed jealousy of the house of 

 York ; of which this unfortunate prince was the 

 last male descendant. 



The same messenger which was dispatched to 

 Sheriff-Hutton for Warwick, carried directions, 

 that the princess Elizabeth, who had been confined 

 in the same place, should be conducted to London, 

 in order to meet Henry, and there to celebrate his 

 nuptials. But though bound by honour, as well 

 as by interest, to complete this alliance, Henry was 



